October 2018 Inside This Issue Small Group Study 3 Turkey Mission Dinner 4 Touching the World 5 Student Ministries 6 Children s Ministry 7 Music & Pastoral Ministry 8 Top Notchers 11 Announcements 12 Online Giving 13 AUMC App 14 Contact Us 515-967-2991 Pastor John Gaulke johng@altoonaumc.org Steve McLellan Minister of Creative Arts & Pastoral Care stevem@altoonaumc.org Matt Osborne Youth Director matto@altoonaumc.org Brandon Lindsey Children s Ministry Director brandonl@altoonaumc.org LeAnn Gaulke Director of Small Groups & Assimilation leanng@altoonaumc.org Sue Bennett Financial Manager sueb@altoonaumc.org Heather Mahoney Executive Assistant heatherm@altoonaumc.org Brenda Cort Administrative Assistant brendac@altoonaumc.org Dear Friend, It s time to mark your calendar for this year s Turkey Mission Dinner which will be held on Saturday November 10, 2018. We are just a little over a month away from an exciting opportunity an opportunity to once again touch the world with hope and love. There s a very short word that keeps coming to my mind as a theme for this year s Turkey Mission Dinner. It s only two letters a small word, but its impact is big when combined with God s power. The word is, Go. That s what Jesus told us to do what he expects his followers to do. We are people that go and touch the world with God s love and light. Remember Jesus words: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19 20, ESV) This year we will go to Haiti and finish the construction on a dining hall for the orphanage that we support. Some of us will literally Go as we send a construction team from our church on February 18-25, 2019. I think it s so cool that the Orphans in Haiti in front of the partially completed dining hall proceeds from our dinner will build a dining hall and kitchen for orphans living in Haiti. Our dinner will make a lasting impact on so many children for years and years to come. We will also go
Page 2 into downtown Des Moines and help upgrade parts of the kitchen at Bethel Mission the only place in Des Moines where you can have a free meal three times a day, every day of the year. We will also raise funds for all of the missionaries that we support, as well as Caring Hands food pantry, Meals from the Heartland, and Habitat for Humanity. When you add it all up ($125,000) you can see that we will need God s help for another miracle. Each year I m amazed at how God takes one meal and multiplies it into so many to nourish the least among us. Let s Go! Going with you, Pastor John Information meeting on Adult Mission Trip to Haiti Are you interested in going on a mission trip to Haiti February 18-25, 2019? If so, join us for an informational meeting on October 14th at 11:00 a.m. in the Large Conference room across from office. Regular office hours are: Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. - Noon
Page 3 Join us on Saturday, October 13 to package meals with Meals from the Heartland in our Family Life Center. Many volunteers are needed to meet our 50,000-meal goal! Sign ups for the one-hour shifts are in the entryway. Bring your family, coordinate with your small group, or come on your own! All ages are welcome! Contact Heather Mahoney for more information at heatherm@altoonaumc.org or 967-2991.
Page 4 Turkey Mission Dinner Saturday, November 10th 4:30-7:00 p.m. This year s Turkey Mission Dinner is on Saturday, November 10, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Mark your calendars now to be a part of this year s miracle! Sign-ups begin October 14 and tickets will be distributed beginning October 21. Please join us in praying that this year s meal will once again be a blessing that will change lives. WAYS YOU CAN HELP Help set up...make a donation of food/supplies...roast a turkey...work in the kitchen serving or cleaning up. Do you like to bake? Roll making days are October 26th and 27th. You and other volunteers will produce over 1,000 butter horn rolls that will be devoured during the dinner. Sign-ups for roll making supplies and workers will be available October 7 and 14 in the entryway. Please contact Tori Hanson at 321-2919 if you have any questions. There will be a bake sale during the Turkey Mission Dinner. Proceeds will go to Turkey Mission Dinner projects. We need baked goods donated for this sale. Make your favorite cookies, cake, candy, bread, etc. to sell. Please package and pre-price your items and bring them to the Narthex by 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 10th. Could you make a themed gift basket or make something to donate to the Silent Auction with all proceeds going to our Turkey Mission Dinner projects? For more information, please contact Brandon Lindsey at 967-2991 or brandonl@altoonaumc.org
Page 5 We re excited about how the money raised at this year s Turkey Mission Dinner will help those in need both locally as well as across the globe. Globally, we will once again partner with Les & Catherine DeRoos and Laborers with Christ to help the missionaries in their efforts with an orphanage in Haiti. This year the funds we provide will help complete a cafeteria for the children at the orphanage. As you can see from the pictures, the cafeteria project has already begun. Our funds will complete phase one by pouring a concrete roof over the first floor. We will also provide windows, doors, floor tile, and a finished smooth cement coat over all the wall and ceiling surfaces. Electrical and plumbing work will be completed and the entire Front entrance to cafeteria Current ceiling facility will be painted and furnished with commercial-grade kitchen equipment. AUMC is sending a team to Haiti to work on this project in February 2019. If you are interested in taking part in this mission trip, please attend the informational meeting on Sunday, October 14 at 11:00 in the conference room across from the church office. Locally, Turkey Mission Dinner 2018 funds will help Hope Ministries do some much needed repair to ceiling tiles, an exterior door, and the steam table at Hope Café, which serves more than 170,000 meals each year to those in need in the Des Moines area. In addition to these two areas of focus, money from the Turkey Mission Dinner 2018 helps support missionaries to the Middle East, Mike & Cindy Williams and Cody & Vanessa Nelson, missionary to Uganda, Rose Kirby, and Caring Hands Food Pantry. We will again, as a congregation, package meals through Meals from the Heartland and build walls for a home through Habitat for Humanity. Thank you so much for your generous giving. See you Saturday, November 10 for the meal that keeps on giving!
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Page 7 EVERY MISTAKE IS AN OPPORTUNITY We all make mistakes...from eating the forbidden fruit to letting our emotions get the best of us. We re of the flesh; unfortunately that means we ll make mistakes (sin). A lot of the time we try to hide sin. We pretend we don t do it and put on a façade. However, that s not what God wants from us. Especially when we re supposed to be setting an example for our kids. Take the time to have a conversation about your (or their) mistake. Discuss what led to it and why it was wrong. Kids pick up on things quickly. They know when we re covering and when we re being real with them. Allow that next mistake to be a lesson learned! Children s Ministry Director MIDWEEK MOVIE NIGHT October 10th 6:00 p.m.-7:45 p.m. Free to all grades Prek-6th SNACKS * PIZZA * DRINKS
Page 8 Worship Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1) The Bible says that people with purpose recognize God s immeasurable grace and mercy toward them and make it their reason behind their worship and service. For many of us we can point to critical times in our lives when someone helped us through a crisis. I remember the college professor that recommended me for my first job. It was his recommendation that sent us on a Bible school teaching assignment in Europe. That experience changed my life forever. Maybe for you it was someone that helped you get a fresh start in your life. We all remember people who gave to us when we had nothing to give back. They are the people who give not because they are hoping for anything in return, but only because they care enough to believe in you. For each of us, that person has our deepest respect and thanks. When we view eternity that person becomes Jesus Christ. You have an opportunity to give back. It is not a set amount of money or even a specific good deed. What He is looking for is your respect and appreciation. It is expressed through a life of love given whole-heartedly back to the One who gave us life, and life to the very fullest degree. May you bless and be blessed! Continued on page 11
Page 9 The rehearsal schedules are below. Fall is here and Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations are not far off. Please let us know if you would consider helping with these special times of music and outreach. Our preparation schedule is as follows: Monday: Bell Choir 7:00 8:00 p.m. Sanctuary Wednesday: Orchestra 6:00 6:45 p.m. Sanctuary Chancel Choir 6:30-7:50 p.m. Sanctuary Worship Band 8:00 9:30 p.m. Sanctuary Sunday: Jr. Choir 9:15 9:30 a.m. Basement (west side) *Each of the adult music groups has child care available including nursery care. We are now offering CD s and mp3 s to help you prepare for our Christmas Concerts and our scheduled Sunday worship services. LOOKING FOR A GIG? We would love to see new instrumental musicians and singers become a part of our seasonal concerts and Sunday worship opportunities. If you enjoy music you are going to love doing our music with us. We have a great team of musicians they have fun together! VOCAL CARE SEMINAR: Joy Hesse, M.A., CCC-SLP, from the Iowa ENT center will be joining us Wednesday, October 10 in the sanctuary at 6:30 p.m. Get some tips on how to maintain a strong healthy singing and speaking voice. Joy s specialty has allowed her to work with some of the finest singers in the Des Moines area. SAVE THE DATE: December 2: Candles, Carols, and More, Bells Christmas Concert with Christmas Cookies Sunday at 2:00 p.m. December 16: Christmas Worship Celebration with choirs, orchestra, and the works in all 3 services.
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Page 11 Top Notchers A ministry for adults 55+ Upcoming Get Together Tuesday, October 9, Noon Potluck Program: Senior Living Speaker from Des Moines University Noon in the Family Life Center Bring a dish to share Host/Hostess: Mary Wood Chairpersons: Marla Carr Bring a donation for the Caring Hands Food Pantry Thursday, November 15, Outing 8:15 a.m. Outing: Old Creamery Theatre and Amana Bus Trip Visit the Amana Colonies Lunch at the Ronneburg Restaurant Show - Away in a Basement at 2:00 p.m. Arrive back in Altoona around 6:15 p.m. Cost is $93 per person, checks to AUMC (minimum of 38 passengers) Sign up NOW at the Welcome Center Chairpersons: Marilyn Cowell Sunday, December 2, 3:00 p.m. note the date change Program: Carols, Cookies & Candles AUMC Bell Choir Performance Sanctuary & Chapel Bring a dozen cookies to share! Bring a friend, new people are always welcome!
Page 12 Men s Breakfast Saturday - October 20th 8:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center United Methodist Women NO UMW Meeting in October Abigail Circle: will meet Tuesday, October 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Sheryl Ebert. We will begin our new study Defiant Joy. Martha Circle: will meet on Thursday, October 18th at 9:30 a.m. at Perkins. Carolyn McKeever will be doing the program. October 7 - UMW Conference Annual Meeting at Knoxville UMC October 27 - Central District Mission Event at UM Conference Center, Sarah Paulos (our spring breakfast speaker) will have the program from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a more in-depth workshop. Pasoral Partners Consider sending a DVD to a homebound friend or loved one. DVD s may be purchased for $5 each. If you or family member would like prayer support or a hospital visit please fill out the prayer request on the back of the Connect Card or call the church office at 967-2991.
Page 13 Altoona United Methodist Church has two electronic options for giving. You can register to give regularly or make a one-time gift by going to our church website, www.altoonaumc.org. Click on the Give tab. Once you have clicked on the Give Online button, choose First Time? on the left side of the E-Giving Login page. Enter your information, create a password, and hit Submit. Your donation can come from your checking, savings, debit card, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. You will have the option of making a one-time gift or a recurring donation on a schedule that you set up. Once you have registered, you have the ability to adjust your giving as desired by logging in with your email address and password. Another option for electronic giving is through our new church app. In the Worship menu, choose Give Online and then follow the instructions above. If you have any questions about this secure electronic giving option, please contact Heather Mahoney at 967-2991 or heatherm@altoonaumc.org. She is happy to meet with you to help you set up your account or answer any of your questions.
Page 14 Available for ios and Android. If you would like to receive weekly updates via email, please go to the church website, www.altoonaumc.org. Under the Connect tab, choose E-Mail Signup, enter your email address, choose the email(s) you would like to receive, and they will begin arriving on a weekly basis! If you would like to be included on our email prayer chain list, please go to the church website, www.altoonaumc.org, choose Prayer Chain Signup under the Connect tab, enter your email address, and choose the Prayer Chain list.